“Fear is driven out by perfect love”: Vatican Secretary of State to South Sudanese

“Jesus Christ dispelled every lingering doubt and distress,” he said. 

The Vatican-based Cardinal noted that when people live in a continual state of insecurity and fear, violence can erupt so easily and for no apparent reason.

 The 68-year-old Church leader said that despite the disciples’ encounter with the risen Lord, they still feared for their lives, and explained, “Like the disciples, we also experience inconsistencies within our communities.”

“My brothers and sisters, in your search for justice and peace, listen to what the Lord God has to say, follow in Christ’s footsteps without fear,” he said.

On August 15 while in the Catholic Diocese of Malakal on the invitation of Bishop Stephen Nyodho Ador Majwok,  Cardinal Parolin comforted returnees and refugees who were displaced by the Sudan war that broke out on April 15 and expressed the closeness of the Holy Father with them. 

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He assured those who had been displaced of the help of the international community, saying, “We can raise the attention and the interest of the international community towards your situation just to provide the means to solve your problems to go back to your places of origin in a very safe and dignified way…I promise you, we will try to do so.” 

On his first day in the country on August 14, Cardinal Parolin urged South Sudanese to embrace the spirit of peace and reconciliation in order to build a harmonious society.

Kerbino Kuel Deng is a South Sudanese journalist who is passionate about Church communication. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.